A Cup of Sassafras Tea

AROUND THE ELK

Submitted by Guest Author Liz Wilkes of Flat Hollow Farm, LLC

Harold Sylvie Proctor of Quick, WV, loved sassafras tea, a popular beverage that is known for its distinct flavor and aroma that resembles root beer. Born on October 12, 1900, he was a home-remedy person and frequently enjoyed a cup of his homemade sassafras tea. Even though research on the effects of sassafras tea is inconclusive, some people believe there are health benefits to drinking it to reduce inflammation, act as a diuretic, and offer protection against infections such as leishmaniasis (Healthline.com: Sassafras Tea: Health Benefits and Side Effects).

Harold had six children, and his son, Major, remembers a story of growing up and harvesting sassafras. As a young boy, Harold would have Major hunt and harvest the roots because his dad believed “there’s no lesson like a learnt lesson”. A comical story about the sassafras tree involved a sassafras limb and a hateful goat named Billy. Major said Billy had big horns and would chase and ram him into the house. He even remembers the goat coming in the house after him! He said he tried to defend himself by holding the goat’s horns and attempting to knock him down. He tried using hickory limbs on the goat but he paid no attention. He will never forget, however, using a sassafras limb to stop Billy. He said, “Sassafras limbs may be light, but when they are dry, they are reliable for defense.”

When it was tea-making time, Harold would place two large handfuls of sassafras roots into a five-quart pot. His son, Major, even had a designated pot for making sassafras tea. Harold would fill the pot almost to the brim with spring water. Next, he would bring it to a boil for approximately 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse and then remove from heat or simmer to keep warm. Finally, he would fill his cup and stir in two tablespoons of sugar or more to taste.

This same pot of tea and roots will last for 5-7 days, reheating as many times as desired. The next time you are ready for a cup of tea, fill the pot back up with spring water, bring it to ‘almost’ a boil and then lower to keep warm. The tea will improve with every cup!

The flavor is extracted from the roots when heated. The tea can be stored on the stove or counter. Filling up the pot with spring water each time, reheating the tea and enjoying cup after cup can be a week-long affair with just one pot of roots! The tea can be combined with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, all-spice, or aniseed to enhance the flavor if desired. Some people also use the sassafras mixture as a potpourri.

For tea, the roots must be harvested at least after the first frost so that the sap goes down into the roots. The roots may be stored in a dry cool place to be enjoyed year round.

You can contact Liz Wilkes of Flat Hollow Farm LLC to purchase sassafras roots. They are available for pickup ($17/lb.) or shipping ($25/lb.). For more information call 304.965.8008 or email her at flathollowfarm@ gmail.com.